The comeback of Floyd Mayweather sent shockwaves throughout the world of boxing. Now, one of his former opponents has followed suit and announced his return to combat after hanging up the gloves four years ago.
Mayweather walked away from the sport after halting UFC icon Conor McGregor, in what seemed to be his 50th and final professional contest back in 2017, ending on a stoppage after seven consecutive decision wins.
Since then, ‘TBE’ has fought solely in exhibition bouts, continuing to earn huge amounts of money while keeping his undefeated record protected. That ends in September, as Mayweather rematches Manny Pacquiao in a must-see professional showdown at The Sphere in Las Vegas.
The two icons are not the only ones looking to prove that they still have what it takes to compete for belts, as former world champion, Victor Ortiz, has today announced a move to BKB Bare Knuckle Boxing.
Ortiz trumped Andre Berto to get his hands on the WBC welterweight world title back in 2011, but controversially lost the belt to Mayweather five months later – Mayweather’s most recent stoppage win against a recognised boxer.
Now, the Kansas-born southpaw is eyeing up another title, in what he called ‘the purest, most intense version of the sport’, in a press release that confirmed his signature.
“I’ve accomplished so much in gloved boxing – from winning a world title to battling the best in the world.
“Now, bare knuckle is the next challenge. It’s the purest, most intense version of the sport, and I’m pumped to bring my power, heart, and experience to BKB.
“I’m coming to win another world title and prove I’ve still got it. All glory to Jesus Christ.”
Ortiz retired from boxing in 2022, off the back of a super-welterweight triumph. If he can still make that weight, Filipino Rolando Dy is the titleholder that he will be eyeing up, following his BKB super-welterweight title win against Liam Rees back in December.
However, Dy is first scheduled to take on two-division boxing world champion Paulie Malignaggi on Saturday, May 16, in Manchester.
